CED 1976 LLC, a N.J.-based managing general underwriter for the Jewelers unBLOCKed brand that focuses on providing coverage to the jewelry industry, announced that Ken Bessette has joined its management team as strategic initiatives partner.

Most recently, Bessette was chief executive officer of PIA Management Services Inc., the umbrella corporation that manages the Glenmont, N.Y.-based Professional Insurance Agents associations, representing independent agencies in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and New Hampshire.

In his new role, Bessette will help CED 1976 expand its partnerships with retail and wholesale agents and brokers.